SOUTH CHINA SEA (July 29, 2021) A U.S. Marine with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 launches an F-35B from the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth (R 08) while she conducts a double replenishment with the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary Tide-class replenishment tanker RFA Tidespring (A 136) and the Royal Netherlands Navy De Zeven Provincien-class frigate HNLMS Evertsen (F 805) in the South China Sea. VMFA-211 is attached to the United Kingdom's Carrier Strike Group 21, a UK-led international strike group including support from the U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) and Evertsen. A free and open Indo-Pacific region that is peaceful and stable is vital to ensuring greater prosperity for the region and the world. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Royal Navy PO Jay Allen)